Her Human His Wolf

White Wolf

ATLAS POV

I despised nearly everything about this town. From the moment I arrived, I had every intention of leaving. However, an unexplainable force prevented me from selling my grandmother's house. It held no sentimental value, and she would have preferred me to sell it when she passed. Yet, there was an inexplicable feeling within me, as if I were waiting for something. That something finally appeared in the form of a mysterious white wolf that found its way into my shed.

This wolf was unlike any I had ever seen before, except in a recurring dream that I had kept hidden. It was the reason I had dedicated my free time to helping at a local wolf shelter for years. In my dreams, I often encountered a white wolf with fur that seemed to shimmer like gold. The dream was always the same - the wolf was running from an unseen danger, and I had an unspoken duty to save it.

Now, here I sat, with that very same wolf, its head resting gently in my lap. It felt strangely right, and a deep part of me did not want the wolf to leave. I briefly entertained the thought of guiding it into my house, but the idea of confining and robbing it of its freedom disgusted me. Instead, I could only hope the wolf would stay with me until I unraveled the mystery behind its presence in my dreams.

I let out a sigh as I sat in the grass, feeling the late afternoon breeze brush against my skin. Work had been a living hell lately. I worked at a lousy factory job, despite having been the top of my class in college. I had dropped out during my senior year when my grandmother fell ill. With no financial support from my deceased parents and my grandmother's funds dwindling, I exhausted my limited funds to care for her. Now that she was gone, I found myself drowning in debt, barely scraping by.

Despite the hardships, I managed to keep the bills at bay, always making payments just in time to prevent anything from being taken away. It was far from a great life, but it was the life I had.

My long term girlfriend, Jazz, brought some happiness into my life. We had been together for three years, despite having nothing in common. It felt like I was simply going through the motions of life. Honestly, I didn't blame her for cheating on me; I wasn't truly invested in the relationship. I didn't love her. In fact, I had never experienced love with any girl. When she did cheat, I was strangely relieved to have a reason to end things. I couldn't understand what she saw in me. I was a twenty-eight-year-old going nowhere in life, both financially and socially. While I may be intelligent, that alone wouldn't take me far. I was physically strong and skilled in fighting, but that wouldn't lead me anywhere either. The only thing I could possibly rely on was my appearance. It made me laugh to think about it. According to her, I was attractive, but then again, compared to the majority of men in our town who resembled worn-out alcoholics, I suppose I stood out. I absentmindedly ran my hand through the fur of the wolf.

This wild animal was surprisingly calm, leaning against me as if we had a connection. I had hoped for this moment, but never in my wildest dreams did I believe it would actually come true. I sat outside with the wolf until the sun set, savoring the sights, sounds, and smells of the tranquil evening.

I sat in silence, enjoying the presence of the wolf, marveling at the serenity that a wild animal could bring. As I gently grazed my fingers along her fur, I could feel the remnants of the bullet embedded in her skin, small shards that had not yet been fully expelled. A soft whimper escaped from her, and I found myself apologizing, as if she could understand my words.

After a while, she rose to her feet, studying me intently before darting off into the woods. Part of me longed to chase after her, but I knew she belonged in the wild. I reluctantly stood up, the sky now cloaked in darkness, and made my way towards my house.

However, before I could enter, a convoy of cars pulled into my driveway. Jazz emerged from one, accompanied by my closest friend and several other men. "Rumor has it you're harboring a white wolf," Galven, my old friend, declared, brandishing a bow and arrow he had retrieved from his car.

"Get off my property," I demanded, my voice filled with anger. But Galven merely chuckled. "Come on, Atlas, join in on the fun for once," he goaded. My temper flared, and I lashed out, landing a punch on his face. This only served to incite the others, and soon I found myself on the receiving end of their blows, my body wracked with pain.

Amidst the chaos, the white wolf reappeared, growling fiercely. Galven grinned, taking aim with his arrow, but I quickly knocked him down again, shouting at the wolf to run. Two more men tackled me, pinning me to the ground, as the scene unfolded.

Galven stood up, the tension palpable in the air. But this time, instead of aiming his arrow at the wolf, he stood back and directed it towards me. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on his face as he spoke, his voice dripping with malice. "Wouldn't it be unfortunate if a little hunting accident occurred? As worried citizens, we came to rid the area of a wolf, but an arrow actually struck you down instead." His laughter echoed through the night.

I mustered all my strength and swiftly knocked the men holding me down. But before I could reach Galven, he released the arrow. Time seemed to blur as I braced for impact. However, a blur of white shot past me, and a sharp yelp pierced the air. The wolf, with incredible speed, had intercepted the arrow meant for me. She took the hit and let out a ferocious growl, startling everyone before fleeing into the woods.

"Alert town hall! We have a wolf problem!" Galven shouted. I unleashed my anger on Galven, landing a solid punch on his face. Jazz and her friends, realizing the danger, quickly retreated to their cars, wanting no part in this fight.

"I'll be back to collect the wolf. I'm sure it won't last long with an arrow," Galven taunted as he sprinted towards his car. I couldn't waste any more time on him. I needed to find the wolf and tend to her before it was too late. I rushed to my shed, grabbing a flashlight, and ventured into the woods.

Small drops of blood guided my path as I followed the trail left by the wolf. The forest was alive with sounds of rustling leaves and distant whispers. The scent of damp earth mingled with the. But soon, the blood drops vanished, and I found myself surrounded by silence.

Searching frantically, I heard the faint sounds of men in the distance. Their presence only fueled my determination. And then, I stumbled upon a disturbed pile of leaves, marked by a small amount of blood leading into a hidden cave made of rocks. Curiosity mingled with apprehension as I crouched down and shone my flashlight into the darkness.

My breath caught in my throat as the beam of light illuminated the scene before me. A young, unclothed woman lay unconscious, curled up in a fetal position. An arrow protruded from her side, a chilling sight that made my stomach churn. The situation grew even more perplexing. I had followed the wolf's trail, yet it led me to this injured woman. The wolf must have escaped elsewhere.

There was no time for questions. The woman’s life hung in the balance, and I knew I had to act fast. I gently brushed my hand against her, feeling the warmth of her skin and the faint rise and fall of her breath. With great care, I reached in, carefully removing her from the cave, and cradled her in my arms.

Her weight pressed against me as I sprinted back to my house, urgency guiding every step.

My keys were in my car, so I sprinted towards it. Gently, I placed her in the backseat. Grabbing a blanket I luckily had, I draped it over her fragile form, hoping it would offer some comfort.

Sliding into the driver's seat, I revved the engine, ready to speed towards the nearest hospital, which was about an hour away from my house. The darkness of the road stretched before me as I pushed the pedal down, the sound of the engine roaring in my ears. Suddenly, a small moan escaped her lips, a sound of agony that pierced through the silence. Gasping, she weakly pleaded, "No...no, you have to stop."

Glancing at her through the rearview mirror, I saw her hand reaching for my door, panic etched on her face. "DON'T," I snapped, fearing that opening the door would only put her in more danger.

"I'll pull over," I reassured her, my hand trembling as I guided the car to the side of the road. In a moment of instinct, I pressed the lock button on my door, startling her. "I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to get you to a hospital," I spoke. Her eyes met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I could have sworn they resembled the piercing gaze of the white wolf. "No, no doctors, people are after me" she pleaded, her voice cracking with fear. I could sense that she was on the verge of unconsciousness again, but her desperation alarmed me. "Fine, no doctors. At least let me take you somewhere safe and tend to your wounds," I proposed, hoping to alleviate her distress. Slowly, she released her grip on the door, collapsing back into unconsciousness.

I should have continued to a hospital, but instead, I drove towards a motel for some reason. The flickering neon sign buzzed overhead as I parked my car. Despite the urgency, I hesitated for a moment, believing her when she said she would be in danger if I dropped her off at a hospital. A strange sense of responsibility compelled me to act.

Within a few minutes, I secured a room with the little money I had left. Making sure no prying eyes were watching, I carefully cradled her wrapped in a thin blanket and carried her into the room. The worn carpet beneath my feet whispered with each step. I hurried back to my car, retrieving a first aid kit, and dashed back into the room.

In the bathroom, I filled a basin with warm water, its steam filling the air. My hands trembled as I soaked a towel, its fabric becoming heavy with moisture. I bent down next to her, peeling back the blanket to reveal the arrow lodged in her side. With a fast motion, I pulled it out, causing her to moan and stir from her slumber.

Acting quickly, I pressed the wet towel against her wounded side. Our eyes locked, fear etched across her face, yet she remained silent and still. After a moment, I reached for the suture kit I had from the first aid kit. Pouring antibiotic solution onto the sterile gauze, I covered the wound, relieved to see that the arrow hadn't penetrated too deeply.

She continued to remain silent as my fingers then fumbled against the suture kit. "I'm sorry this is going to hurt," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"I understand," she spoke for the first time, her voice soft and fragile. As I slowed my movements, my hands trembling slightly, I gave her two delicate stitches. I carefully placed a fresh bandage over the area, securing it in place.

As my eyes met hers again when I was done, she was already asleep, her breathing steady and calm. Luckily, I was convinced she would be fine, although her words worried me during the car ride. Gently, I lifted her once more, cradling her sleeping form, and placed her under the warm covers on the bed.

Pulling up a chair, I sat on the side. I knew I needed to watch over her throughout the night, ensuring she remained safe.

Lost in my thoughts, I struggled to comprehend everything that had happened. I honestly had no idea what to do now. Yet, deep down, I felt an inexplicable connection to this girl, as if our paths were destined to intertwine, no matter how strange it sounded.